Blissful Motherhood - සොඳුරු මව් පදවිය

Thalassaemia

"You're getting married soon right? So, did you two go for a Thalassaemia test?"

"Not really, actually what is Thalassaemia? What is the benefit of testing it?"
"Does this Thalassaemia thing need to be tested before getting married?"

"I too don't know. A recently married friend of mine said that they did it before they got married. That's why I asked it from you"

Do you have these types of questions? If you are a married couple, have you tested for Thalassaemia before you got married? If you are getting married in the near future have you thought of going for this test?

Thalassaemia is a very important disease that you must need to be aware of before getting married. If you are not familiar with this disease, then this article will be very useful for you.

Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder which is caused by an abnormal gene. A person with Thalassaemia is unable to produce normal hemoglobin in the blood.Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood from the lungs to all parts of the body. When the body is unable to produce normal hemoglobin, the resulting low hemoglobin levels give rise to anemia.

Thalassaemia is passed on from parent to child and can affect both males and females.

Types of Thalassaemia 

There are two types of Thalassaemia:

1. Thalassaemia minor
2. Thalassaemia major

A person who has inherited one Thalassaemia gene is said to have Thalassaemia minor (Thalassaemia Trait). He or she is healthy and leads a normal life. Most people with Thalassaemia minor do not know that they have it. However, the affected person can pass on the abnormal gene to their children. 

Thalassaemia major is a severe form of anemia. The affected person has inherited two Thalassaemia genes, one from each parent. He or she may look normal at birth but within 1-2 years of life, will suffer from severe anemia, which leads to poor growth and development as well as a shorter lifespan.   
The affected person will need blood transfusion every month to sustain life. At present, a bone marrow transplant is the only hope of a possible cure for Thalassaemia major.

How Thalassaemia is inherited

• If only one parent has Thalassaemia minor, the following can occur:

• 50% chance of having a child with Thalassaemia minor
• 50% chance of having a normal child
• none of the couple's children will get Thalassaemia major

• If both parents have Thalassaemia minor, the following can occur:

• 25% chance of having a child with Thalassaemia major
• 50% chance of having a child with Thalassaemia minor
• 25% chance of having a normal child

The chances are same with each pregnancy, no matter how many children the couple may have.

Who should go for Thalassaemia screening?

Since Thalassaemia can be passed on from one generation to another, you and your partner should go for Thalassaemia screening if you are:

• planing to get married
• starting a family

Thalassaemia screening involves a simple blood test.

Things you can do if you have Thalassaemia minor

If you or your partner has Thalassaemia minor, both of you should see a doctor for genetic counselling before you plan to get married or have a child. The doctor will explain the risks and discuss the choices you have. 

What you should do, if you are already pregnant?

If you are already pregnant and both you or your husband have Thalassaemia minor, you should consult a doctor and go for necessary diagnostic test to find out whether your unborn baby has Thalassaemia major. Based on the results of the test you have asked to do, the doctor will advise you and your husband accordingly. 

Images: PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/)